Chapter 5 - A Night of Reflection

Wei Long walked for hours, his steps firm and silent, echoing through the dense, damp forest. The tall, thick trees seemed to form an impenetrable wall around him, blocking the moonlight and making the path even more difficult. But he didn't mind. The darkness was his ally, offering him a false sense of security in a world where trust was a luxury he could no longer afford. The wind, soft yet constant, rustled the dry leaves covering the ground, creating a gentle sound that accompanied him. But for Wei Long, all of this felt distant, as though the world around him was merely a backdrop to the heavy thoughts he carried with him.

He had left behind the village where he had learned about Zhao Ren, the treacherous merchant. The words of the old vendor were still fresh in his mind: "Zhao Ren. He passed through here two days ago. Left a trail of blood." This only fueled his determination. The man with the medallion in hand was, without a doubt, the key to uncovering the secrets of Wei Long's past, the secrets of his family.

The sound of running water reached his ears before he even saw it. Following the sound, he found a small stream, narrow yet crystal clear, winding through the forest. The stones surrounding the water reflected the moonlight, casting a silvery glow across the surface, while the tall trees formed a canopy of shadows above the spot. It was the perfect hiding place. Without a second thought, Wei Long knelt down, removed his boots, and let his feet dip into the cool water. The sensation was refreshing, but at the same time, the cold of the water seemed to mirror the ice that gripped his chest.

Over time, Wei Long set up a small camp. He built an improvised fire, its flames crackling with the sound of burning wood. The gentle warmth emanating from the fire contrasted with the cold surroundings of the forest, and he sat near it, embracing the heat of the flames. But his mind was elsewhere, traveling back to the past, to that fateful night.

The medallion shone brightly in the firelight, as if it had a life of its own. Wei Long held it before his face, his eyes fixed on the ascending dragon carved into its surface, its image reflected in the dancing flames. It was as if the dragon wanted to break free, to soar into the wind, and perhaps finally reveal the secrets his family had kept for so long.

Memories surfaced like a relentless wave, without warning. The night his family was destroyed was still a blur in his mind. The pain was so intense that the details were blurred, mixed with the darkness of panic and confusion. He remembered screams, fire consuming the walls of his house, and hooded figures emerging from the shadows, so fast and silent they seemed like ghosts. He remembered the struggle, the desperate attempt to protect his parents, not knowing what to do, not knowing why they were being attacked. He recalled the sound of the fire, the wooden planks cracking as they burned, and the smell of something burning, something irreplaceable. But the worst of all was the feeling of helplessness, the realization that he had failed to save the two beings he loved most in this world.

"Father... mother..." he whispered, squeezing his eyes shut, as if trying to push away the vivid images of that horrible night. The words barely left his throat, almost like a silent scream. He pressed the medallion against his chest, feeling the cold metal contrast with the warmth of his skin. "I promise I will discover the truth. And I will honor you."

The words echoed in the forest, but the wind that softly blew between the trees seemed to respond to his vow. Wei Long closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to find some sort of peace amidst the storm of emotions consuming him. But peace was a distant luxury, something he would never have again, not until he knew what really happened that night. What did those men, those hooded killers, want from him and his family? And more importantly, why destroy everything he knew? The medallion was a symbol, he knew that. But what did it represent? What was the secret his parents had kept until the last moment of their lives?

Wei Long looked at the medallion once more, trying to read its details, hoping that somehow the metal piece would reveal a fragment of the truth. But nothing happened. The dragon remained there, motionless, glowing only by the firelight. There were no answers to be found at that moment. But Wei Long knew the medallion was the starting point. He may not have all the answers now, but he had something more important: the promise that he would discover the truth.

The wind picked up slightly, moving the trees around and creating a soft sound, almost like a sigh. Wei Long extended his hand toward the fire and moved a few burned logs, feeding the flames for a moment. The heat intensified, warming his skin as his thoughts continued to tangle in search of clarity. When the fire began to die down, he leaned back against a nearby tree, closing his eyes for a moment, allowing himself to rest. He knew his journey would be long and dangerous, that the Silent Mist Mountains were treacherous, filled with traps and wild creatures. But he had no choice. The desire for vengeance and for answers had become his sole purpose, his fuel.

Wei Long knew that when he set out for the north the next day, he would be entering hostile territory, where the enemies would not only be the mercenaries and assassins on his tail but also the dark forces that seemed to be behind everything that had happened to his family. He knew he could trust no one but himself, and perhaps not even himself. Doubt was his constant companion, but he could not allow it to stop him. Not anymore.

The trees around him seemed to move with the wind, as if they were whispering something, something that Wei Long couldn't understand. Or perhaps it was just his mind, overwhelmed with memories and pain. He rubbed his face, trying to push the thoughts away. It was not the time for weakness. He needed to stay focused. He needed to keep going. And he would keep going.

Wei Long closed his eyes, finally allowing himself to rest. His body was exhausted, but his mind would not stop working. What else did he need to know? What was hidden in the Silent Mist Mountains? The answers were there, he could feel it. And he would not rest until he found them.

The wind whistled again between the trees, as a reminder that time was passing. The fire in the campfire was dying down, and soon the darkness would be complete. Wei Long knew that the next day would bring new challenges, new dangers. But he was ready. He had a goal, a mission: to find the answers he had been seeking, no matter what it took.

He pressed the medallion again, feeling its coldness against his skin. As the flames of the fire finally faded, Wei Long lay on the ground, allowing himself a brief rest. Sleep would come later, but for now, he couldn't stop thinking about the journey that awaited him.

The night was silent, but deep within his soul, he felt the weight of the truth still to come.